Reborn and married in a swapped marriage, my aloof husband is too ruthless.

The noise grew closer, mixed with angry shouts. Su Jinxin frowned slightly, a sense of foreboding rising in her heart.

"What's going on?" Yan Cheng'an also heard the commotion outside and his expression turned serious.

No sooner had she finished speaking than a maid rushed in, her face ashen and her voice frantic: "Madam, Master, a wandering swordsman has come from outside, saying he wants to settle scores with you!"

Su Jinxin and Yan Chengan exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of doubt in each other's eyes. A chivalrous swordsman? Looking for her to settle scores?

The two arrived at the front hall, where they saw a burly man with a full beard standing in the courtyard, holding a long sword and glaring at them angrily.

This man is none other than the renowned swordsman Sun, famous for his chivalrous deeds and his efforts to help the weak and punish the strong.

"So you are Su Jinxin?" Master Sun's voice boomed like a bell, causing the leaves in the courtyard to rustle.

Su Jinxin remained calm and nodded slightly: "That is indeed me. May I ask what guidance you may have, Master Sun?"

"Hmph! I've heard that you've been using the Yan family's power to oppress the people, hoard goods, and make a fortune through illicit means!" The chivalrous Sun, filled with righteous indignation, pointed at Su Jinxin and angrily rebuked her, "Today, I will act on behalf of Heaven and rid the people of this scourge!"

Su Jinxin sneered inwardly, "Rumors!"

Another rumor!

She had previously thought that exposing her stepmother and Su Xiaoxiao's conspiracy would dispel the rumors, but she never expected that they would still be spreading in the city's lower classes. It seems that there is a mastermind behind this, and it is far more complicated than she imagined.

Yan Cheng'an stepped forward, shielding Su Jinxin behind him, and said coldly, "Hero Sun, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want! My wife has always been kind and generous, and has never done anything immoral!"

"Whether it's heinous or not is not for you to decide!" Master Sun sneered. "I saw it with my own eyes, how could it be false? Don't try to deny it! Today, you must close your shop, or don't blame me for being merciless with my sword!"

Su Jinxin gently tugged at Yan Cheng'an's sleeve, signaling him to calm down. Then she stepped forward, looking directly at Master Sun, her tone calm yet firm: "Master Sun, I know you are a chivalrous person, but it's truly regrettable that you've been manipulated by rumors. I have nothing to hide and I'm not afraid of being investigated. How about this, I'll bring out all my account books for you to review, what do you say?"

Master Sun was visibly taken aback, seemingly not expecting Su Jinxin to be so frank...

Master Sun's thick eyebrows were furrowed, and his bushy beard trembled slightly.

He had expected Su Jinxin to deny everything and even use the Yan family's power to drive him out, but he never expected her to be so frank and actually want to show him the account books.

For a moment, he didn't know how to respond.

For those who live the life of a江湖儿女 (jianghu children), the most important thing is "righteousness." He has always hated evil as if it were his enemy, but he is also most afraid of wronging good people.

"Fine! I'd like to see what you're up to!" Master Sun replied gruffly, though a hint of wavering had already crept into his heart.

Su Jinxin smiled slightly and instructed her servants to bring all the account books over.

A thick stack of ledgers filled the entire table, a testament to the scale of her business.

Su Jinxin didn't shy away from the details. In front of Master Sun, she turned the pages of the ledger one by one, explaining in detail every income and expenditure, even some minor transactions.

At first, Master Sun was skeptical and examined the ledgers very carefully. However, as he flipped through more and more ledgers, his expression gradually changed from skepticism to surprise, and finally to shame.

These ledgers are clear and transparent, with every transaction verifiable, and there is absolutely no indication of oppressing the people or hoarding goods for profit.

On the contrary, many of Su Jinxin's business activities have even boosted the local economy and benefited many people.

"This...how is this possible..." Master Sun muttered to himself, the account book in his hand feeling as heavy as a thousand pounds.

He has always considered it his duty to uphold justice and help those in need, but he never expected that he would almost wrong an innocent person today.

Su Jinxin closed the ledger, looked calmly at Master Sun, her eyes showing no smugness, only a faint helplessness: "Master Sun, now that you've seen it with your own eyes, do you still have any questions?"

Master Sun's face flushed red with shame.

He knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Madam Su, I was rash! I believed the rumors and almost made a terrible mistake. Please forgive me!"

Su Jinxin smiled slightly and reached out to help him up: "Hero Sun is a man of chivalry and righteousness, worthy of our respect. However, the world is full of treacherous people and rumors. I hope that you will be able to distinguish right from wrong in the future and not be used by villains again."

Master Sun stood up and nodded heavily, a feeling of admiration for Su Jinxin welling up in his heart.

He clasped his hands and said, "Thank you for your teachings, Madam! I will keep them in mind!" After saying that, he turned and left, his steps firm, but with a heavier weight than when he came.

Su Jinxin watched Sun Daxia leave, a faint smile appearing on her lips.

Rumors are despicable, but as long as one acts uprightly, the truth will eventually come out.

But who exactly is spreading these rumors?

What's the purpose?

"It seems things are more complicated than I thought..." Su Jinxin said in a low voice, her gaze turning to the distance, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.

"I'd like to see who's stirring up trouble behind the scenes..."

Yan Cheng'an watched quietly from the side, and Su Jinxin's composure and wisdom in dealing with Master Sun shone in his eyes.

He knew Su Jinxin's kindness and resilience, and he understood the sharp edge hidden deep within her heart.

He gently held Su Jinxin's hand, conveying silent support and love.

Su Jinxin grasped his hand in return, feeling the warmth of his palm, which calmed her down a bit.

After Master Sun left, Su Jinxin's words kept echoing in his mind.

He had been traveling the world for many years and prided himself on his ability to distinguish right from wrong, yet he was almost blinded by rumors and nearly made a grave mistake.

The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt, and he decided to make amends for his mistake and help Su Jinxin find the mastermind behind the rumors.

He went back and found Su Jinxin again.

“Madam Su,” said Master Sun, clasping his hands in greeting, “though I am rash, I am also passionate and will not tolerate the machinations of petty people. I am willing to lend you a hand and find the person who spread these rumors!”

Su Jinxin gladly accepted his help.

"I am deeply grateful for Master Sun's righteous act." She told Master Sun in detail about the malicious slander she had recently suffered and the various rumors circulating in the city.

After hearing this, Master Sun frowned.

"I've also heard some of these rumors; they're circulating in the martial arts world, saying that..."

He paused, his tone becoming somewhat grave, "They say that you, Madam, are colluding with a mysterious organization, intending to control the commercial lifeline of the entire Liang Dynasty."

"A mysterious organization?" Su Jinxin's heart skipped a beat; this was the first time she had ever heard of such a thing.

She initially thought it was just malicious smear campaign by her competitors, but she never expected it to involve a mysterious organization. Things seemed to be more complicated than she had imagined.

“That’s right,” Master Sun nodded affirmatively. “Rumors in the martial arts world say that this organization is powerful and secretive, and even the imperial court is wary of it.”

Su Jinxin pondered for a moment and asked, "Does Master Sun know any specific information about this organization?"

Master Sun shook his head: "This organization is very mysterious. There are only some scattered rumors in the martial arts world, and no one knows the specifics. However..." He thought for a moment and continued, "I have heard that the symbol of this organization is a black butterfly."

“A black butterfly…” Su Jinxin repeated softly, a sense of unease rising in her heart.

She suddenly remembered that a few days ago, when she was checking the account book, she accidentally found a note with a black butterfly drawn on it.

At the time, she didn't pay much attention, assuming that one of the children had accidentally slipped it in. Now, however, she thinks it might not have been a coincidence.

“Master Sun,” Su Jinxin said solemnly, “this matter is of utmost importance and requires careful consideration.”

Yan Chengan walked to Su Jinxin's side and gently patted her shoulder, offering her silent comfort and support.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of everything."

Su Jinxin looked up at him, her eyes filled with gratitude and trust. She knew that no matter how many difficulties and obstacles lay ahead, they would face them together.

As night fell, the candlelight flickered in the study. Su Jinxin took out the note with a black butterfly drawn on it and examined it carefully.

Yan Cheng'an stood beside her, his gaze also fixed on the note.

"It seems we have to go..." Yan Cheng'an's voice was low, his words abruptly ending. He reached out and took the note from Su Jinxin's hand, then walked towards the candlelight...

The note turned to ashes in the candlelight. Yan Cheng'an's eyes were deep: "Butterfly Shadow Mountain." Butterfly Shadow Mountain is located on the border of Daliang. It is a strategically important and easily defended mountain. It is rumored to be the lair of the infamous Black Butterfly organization in the martial arts world.

Su Jinxin was not afraid at all: "Then let's go and meet them." The next day, Su Jinxin took her personal maid Li Xiuniang and several guards and quietly left the capital under the pretext of observing the people's conditions.

To avoid attracting attention, they deliberately took a detour, avoiding the main road and choosing a secluded mountain path.

Along the way, Li Xiuniang was quite frightened by the rugged mountain road and the desolation around her. She clung tightly to Su Jinxin's sleeve, her face pale.

Su Jinxin remained calm and her gaze was firm, as if everything was under her control.

Several days later, they finally arrived at the foot of Butterfly Shadow Mountain.

Looking up, one sees towering peaks reaching into the clouds, shrouded in mist, resembling a giant black butterfly, quietly lying there, exuding a chilling aura.

Li Xiuniang trembled with fear, her voice trembling as she said, "Madam, this place...this place is so scary..."

Su Jinxin patted her hand to comfort her: "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

She turned to the guard beside her and said in a deep voice, "Let's go."

As soon as they stepped into the forest, a cold wind swept in, the shadows of the trees swaying and emitting eerie, mournful sounds… Li Xiuniang gripped Su Jinxin tightly, her face growing even paler, her lips trembling as she murmured, “Madam… I…”